Muslims face discrimination in Europe, Foreigner.fi readers say

A French teacher was beheaded in a Paris suburb after showing cartoons of Islam's prophet Mohammed to his students in a lesson about freedom of speech.

French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the attack by closing some mosques like the one in Pantin, in the periphery of Paris, and by projecting the cartoons on French public buildings. In addition some Islamist-inspired groups have been dissolved.

The response of the Arab and Muslim world has been uncoordinated and uneven, which shows the different weight that religion has in different countries. Even so, some leaders responded with insults, protests and even calls to boycott French products.

The loudest protests have taken place in countries such as Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Morocco, Egypt, Qatar and Kuwait. Turkish President Recep Tayipp Erdogan has been particularly aggressive, saying that European leaders are "fascists" who support "hostility towards Islam and Muslims."

"What is the problem this person called Macron has with Islam and Muslims? Macron needs mental treatment, Erdogan said.

Niinistö raised his voice

In the midst of this crisis, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö has been one of the European leaders who has raised his voice in defence of France and its president Emmanuel Macron.

"I stand in full solidarity with President Emmanuel Macron and our colleagues in the defence of European values and in the fight against terrorism," wrote, quoting President Niinistö, the official account of the President of the Finnish Republic.

Therefore, Foreigner.fi asked the readers in a Twitter poll: “Do you think people from Muslim-majority countries face discrimination in Europe?”

In the poll, the respondents were given two options which were 'Yes’ and 'No'.

The mini poll was answered by 86 readers and 60.5% of readers think Muslim-majority countries face discrimination in Europe. 39.5% of readers said ‘No’.

One of the readers said, "IMO, its about your character and personality. Most people i have come across in Finland have always been respectful of my religious needs and wishes. Then again, it really depends on where you live and how you act. If someone starts getting aggressive on me due to my religion. I just smile and wave because nothing infuriates them more than a big fat warm smile :D."

Foreigner.fi is going to ask a different question about Finland every Friday on its official Twitter account @foreigner.fi